Swedish services PMI rises to 56.6 points in June

Activity in Sweden's service sector increased in June with the PMI index rising to 56.6 points from an upwardly revised 54.2 points in the previous month, compilers Silf and Swedbank said on Friday.

It was the highest reading since November last year with the sub-index for business volumes making the biggest positive impact, the compilers said.

"The services sector picked up after a slow first quarter," Swedbank economist Jorgen Kennemar said in a statement.

"There are still question marks about the strength of orders and companies are holding off on taking on new workers."

The sub-index for input costs fell back to 76.3 points from 81.8 points the previous month, but was still well above the historical average of 58.3 points, the compilers said.